“I don’t feel any pressure yet. Right now, the focus is on improving”: Neeraj Chopra

Winning Olympic gold is the pinnacle for any athlete across the globe. Winning your country’s first gold in athletics on your Games debut is even more reason to party. Neeraj Chopra was the man of the hour after his javelin gold at Tokyo 2020 last August. And with over one billion fellow Indians celebrating his success, it is no great surprise that this career took a back seat for a while.

After taking an extended break, and putting on over 10 kilograms which is not something to let go of for a professional athlete, India’s new sporting hero returned to training in December in California to escape the myriad of distractions at home. But getting back to business in Chula Vista proved to be hard work.

“It was difficult. When I resumed throwing, it felt so new. My body kind of forgot what it’s like to throw. Yes, I worked on my fitness, lost all the extra kilos. But on the strength front, I was still lacking.

“I would get tired very quickly after starting training. Mentally, I had to pull myself through the routine. I had to force myself, push myself. I had to be mentally strong.”

The Laureus World Sports Award Breakthrough of the Year nominee told Olympics.com

Now Neeraj is back on track and looking forward to winning some July’s World Championships in Eugene, Oregon.

“From a competition perspective, I don’t feel any pressure yet. I think that will come as we get closer to the season. Right now, the focus is on improving.”

Neeraj Chopra